Baby Used As Shield In Police Standoff Dispute

A father, who used his baby as a human shield against police in Oregon, is facing a few serious charges. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office says Raleigh Reynolds used his baby to protect himself during a standoff.

It seems things came to a head Saturday afternoon when the man, a suspect in a burglary, fled pursuing officers and barricaded himself in a house on Clackamas Way in Estacada. Deputies surrounded the property, and the man failed several attempts to escape the house.

Eventually, Reynolds came out of the house, holding his infant son in front of him. Police said the child was positioned like a shield between Reynolds and the officers.

“He was just standing there, telling us he didn’t want to leave the baby in the house, despite the situation,” Deputy Daniel Moyer told local news outlet KATU. “I believe he was using the infant as a shield.”

Though deputies had reason to believe Reynolds was armed, once they negotiated with him to release the baby, police took Reynolds into custody and found no weapons. The 7-month-old, unharmed in the incident, was released to family members.

Reynolds is expected to appear in court Monday and faces charges of burglary, obstructing governmental administration, endangering the welfare of an infant minor and resisting arrest.